Solar Energy Potential in Bexleyheath, England, UK

Bexleyheath, England, located in the London Borough of Bexley, United Kingdom, offers moderate potential for solar energy generation throughout the year. The location's position in the Northern Temperate Zone influences its solar energy production capabilities, with significant seasonal variations. Summer presents the most favorable conditions for solar energy generation in Bexleyheath, England, with an average daily output of 5.08 kWh per kW of installed solar capacity. This period, typically from June to August, provides the longest daylight hours and highest solar intensity, making it ideal for maximizing solar energy production. Spring follows as the second-best season for solar energy generation, with an average daily output of 4.34 kWh per kW. The increasing daylight hours and improving weather conditions from March to May contribute to this relatively high production rate.

Seasonal Variations

Autumn sees a significant drop in solar energy production, with an average daily output of 2.22 kWh per kW. The decreasing daylight hours and potentially cloudier weather from September to November contribute to this reduction. Winter presents the most challenging period for solar energy generation in Bexleyheath, England, with a notably low average daily output of 0.99 kWh per kW. The short daylight hours, low sun angle, and frequently overcast skies from December to February significantly impact solar panel efficiency during this season.

Optimizing Solar Panel Installation

To maximize year-round solar energy production in Bexleyheath, England, it is recommended to install fixed solar panels at a tilt angle of 44 degrees facing South. This optimal angle helps capture the most sunlight throughout the year, considering the location's latitude and seasonal sun positions.

Environmental and Weather Factors

Several factors can impact solar energy production in Bexleyheath: 1. Cloud cover: The UK, including Bexleyheath, England, experiences frequent cloudy weather, which can reduce solar panel efficiency. 2. Rain: While not directly impacting solar panels, frequent rainfall can lead to dirt accumulation, potentially reducing panel efficiency. 3. Air pollution: Being close to London, Bexleyheath may experience higher levels of air pollution, which can slightly decrease solar panel performance. To mitigate these factors, consider the following preventative measures:

• Install high-quality, weather-resistant solar panels designed for the UK climate.
• Implement a regular cleaning schedule to remove dirt and debris from the panels.
• Use micro-inverters or power optimizers to minimize the impact of partial shading on overall system performance.
• Consider a slight increase in the number of panels to compensate for reduced efficiency during cloudy periods.

By taking these factors into account and implementing appropriate measures, residents of Bexleyheath can optimize their solar energy systems to make the most of the available solar resources throughout the year.

Note: The Northern Temperate Zone extends from 35° latitude North up to 66.5° latitude.

So far, we have conducted calculations to evaluate the solar photovoltaic (PV) potential in 756 locations across United Kingdom. This analysis provides insights into each city/location's potential for harnessing solar energy through PV installations.

Link: Solar PV potential in United Kingdom by location

Solar output per kW of installed solar PV by season in Bexleyheath

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 51.4638, Longitude: 0.1434 (Bexleyheath, United Kingdom), based on our analysis of 8760 hourly intervals of solar and meteorological data (one whole year) retrieved for that set of coordinates/location from NASA POWER (The Prediction of Worldwide Energy Resources) API:

 

Ideally tilt fixed solar panels 44° South in Bexleyheath, United Kingdom

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Bexleyheath, United Kingdom (Lat/Long 51.4638, 0.1434) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 44° South for fixed panel installations.

As the Earth revolves around the Sun each year, the maximum angle of elevation of the Sun varies by +/- 23.45 degrees from its equinox elevation angle for a particular latitude. Finding the exact optimal angle to maximise solar PV production throughout the year can be challenging, but with careful consideration of historical solar energy and meteorological data for a certain location, it can be done precisely.

We use our own calculation, which incorporates NASA solar and meteorological data for the exact Lat/Long coordinates, to determine the ideal tilt angle of a solar panel that will yield maximum annual solar output. We calculate the optimal angle for each day of the year, taking into account its contribution to the yearly total PV potential at that specific location.

Seasonally adjusted solar panel tilt angles for Bexleyheath, United Kingdom

If you can adjust the tilt angle of your solar PV panels, please refer to the seasonal tilt angles below for optimal solar energy production in Bexleyheath, United Kingdom. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 44° South tilt angle throughout the year.

Overall Best Summer Angle	Overall Best Autumn Angle	Overall Best Winter Angle	Overall Best Spring Angle
35° South in Summer	54° South in Autumn	65° South in Winter	43° South in Spring

Our recommendations take into account more than just latitude and Earth's position in its elliptical orbit around the Sun. We also incorporate historical solar and meteorological data from NASA's Prediction of Worldwide Energy Resources (POWER) API to assign a weight to each ideal angle for each day based on its historical contribution to overall solar PV potential during a specific season.

This approach allows us to provide much more accurate recommendations than relying solely on latitude, as it considers unique weather conditions in different locations sharing the same latitude worldwide.

Calculate solar panel row spacing in Bexleyheath, United Kingdom

We've added a feature to calculate minimum solar panel row spacing by location. Enter your panel size and orientation below to get the minimum spacing in Bexleyheath, United Kingdom.

Our calculation method

1. Solar Position:
   We determine the Sun's position on the Winter solstice using the location's latitude and solar declination.
2. Shadow Projection:
   We calculate the shadow length cast by panels using trigonometry, considering panel tilt and the Sun's elevation angle.
3. Minimum Spacing:
   We add the shadow length to the horizontal space occupied by tilted panels.

This approach ensures maximum space efficiency while avoiding shading during critical times, as the Winter solstice represents the worst-case scenario for shadow length.

Topography for solar PV around Bexleyheath, United Kingdom

The topography around Bexleyheath, United Kingdom, is characterized by gently rolling hills and relatively flat terrain. Located in the southeastern part of Greater London, Bexleyheath sits on a plateau that gradually slopes downward towards the River Thames to the north. The area is part of the London Basin, a geological feature that contributes to its generally low-lying nature. The landscape surrounding Bexleyheath is primarily urban and suburban, with pockets of green spaces interspersed throughout. To the south and southeast, the terrain becomes slightly more undulating as it transitions into the North Downs, a ridge of chalk hills that extends across the southeastern part of England. However, the immediate vicinity of Bexleyheath remains mostly level, with only subtle changes in elevation.

Potential Areas for Large-Scale Solar PV

When considering areas nearby that would be most suited to large-scale solar PV installations, several factors come into play. The relatively flat terrain in and around Bexleyheath is generally favorable for solar panel deployment, as it minimizes shading issues and simplifies installation processes. The areas to the south and southeast of Bexleyheath, where the landscape becomes more open and rural, could potentially offer suitable locations for large-scale solar projects. These areas may have larger tracts of available land and fewer obstructions that could cast shadows on solar panels. Additionally, the gently sloping hills to the south might provide opportunities for solar farms that face a southerly direction, maximizing exposure to sunlight throughout the day. However, it's important to note that any large-scale solar PV project would need to carefully consider factors such as local planning regulations, environmental impact, and proximity to the electrical grid. While the urban nature of Bexleyheath itself may limit options for extensive solar installations within the town, nearby rural areas or brownfield sites could potentially be repurposed for solar energy production. The key would be to identify locations that offer a balance between suitable land availability, minimal environmental impact, and proximity to existing infrastructure for energy distribution.

United Kingdom solar PV Stats as a country

United Kingdom ranks 14th in the world for cumulative solar PV capacity, with 13,689 total MW's of solar PV installed. This means that 4.00% of United Kingdom's total energy as a country comes from solar PV (that's 20th in the world). Each year United Kingdom is generating 203 Watts from solar PV per capita (United Kingdom ranks 25th in the world for solar PV Watts generated per capita). [source]

Are there incentives for businesses to install solar in United Kingdom?

Yes, there are several incentives for businesses wanting to install solar energy in the United Kingdom. The UK government offers a Feed-in Tariff (FiT) scheme which pays businesses for every unit of electricity they generate from their solar panels. Additionally, businesses may be eligible for tax reliefs such as Enhanced Capital Allowances and Renewable Heat Incentives. Finally, some local authorities offer grants or other financial support to help businesses with the cost of installing solar energy systems.

Do you have more up to date information than this on incentives towards solar PV projects in United Kingdom? Please reach out to us and help us keep this information current. Thanks!

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Compare this location to others worldwide for solar PV potential

The solar PV analyses available on our website, including this one, are offered as a free service to the global community. Our aim is to provide education and aid informed decision-making regarding solar PV installations.

However, please note that these analyses are general guidance and may not meet specific project requirements. For in-depth, tailored forecasts and analysis crucial for feasibility studies or when pursuing maximum ROI from your solar projects, feel free to contact us; we offer comprehensive consulting services expressly for this purpose.

Helping you assess viability of solar PV for your site

Calculate Your Optimal Solar Panel Tilt Angle: A Comprehensive Guide

Enhance your solar panel's performance with our in-depth guide. Determine the best tilt angle using hard data, debunk common misunderstandings, and gain insight into how your specific location affects solar energy production.